The joy of the profession
Having just returned from a fire safety and rescue awareness campaign for residents living along the Red River, and still sweating profusely, Lieutenant Dong The Giap, an officer of Firefighting and Rescue Team No. 8, joined his teammates for a training session under the scorching midday sun. Sweat streamed down the weathered face of this soldier with over 10 years of service. He exuded the strength and decisiveness of someone who regularly faces danger. However, when asked about his personal life, Lieutenant Dong The Giap quickly returned to the familiar topic: fires, rescues, and the daily work of a firefighter.
The story takes everyone back to a fire that occurred nearly six months ago, when Lieutenant Dong The Giap and his teammates rescued five people trapped in a house. Around 10:45 PM on April 12th, even though it wasn't his shift, Lieutenant Giap remained at the unit. At that moment, the owner of house number 47, alley 131, Hong Ha Street, frantically ran to report a fire. Without even changing into his combat uniform, Lieutenant Dong The Giap immediately sounded the alarm and ran to the scene, not far from the unit.
The building where the fire occurred was used for business purposes and contained many flammable items, including helmets. The goods were stacked high in the stairwell area, making it difficult to access the upper floors. Using professional techniques, practical experience, and timely command, officers and soldiers, in coordination with local residents, quickly brought the fire under control and simultaneously accessed the upper floors to search for and rescue those trapped.
“The victims were scattered in various locations throughout the house. Two victims were found in the bathroom, and two others on the balcony. Our team reached them and safely rescued them. Fortunately, all five people trapped inside the house were eventually saved from the fire,” Lieutenant Dong The Giap recalled.
For Corporal Hoang Hai Long, an unforgettable memory is the time he scouted and personally carried an elderly woman to safety during a fire that occurred at 1:24 AM on September 2nd, at house number 4, alley 12, lane 29 Doi Nhan, Ngoc Ha ward.
The situation was extremely dangerous. The fire broke out on the first floor, originating from a parking area for two motorcycles, one gasoline-powered and one electric, placed near the entrance. The fire then gradually spread inside the house. The main combustible materials were gasoline, plastic, and the batteries of the electric motorcycles. Upon discovering people trapped inside, Corporal Hoang Hai Long was assigned the task of reconnaissance, approaching the fire from the rooftop of the neighboring building. Immediately after receiving the assignment, on the upper floors, Hai Long and his teammates used ladders to break the glass doors on the third floor to search for victims and implement smoke evacuation measures. During the search, the firefighting force guided two victims to safety from the rooftop of the adjacent building. Corporal Hoang Hai Long personally carried an elderly woman to safety.
These are just a few of the many courageous stories of firefighters. The situations they face are often like action movies, but for each officer and soldier, it's just their daily work, a responsibility that comes first.
Few people know that the current Fire and Rescue Team No. 8 originated from the Fire Prevention and Rescue Team of the Ba Dinh District Police – a unit with a rich tradition. Not only does it ensure fire and explosion safety in key areas, but in its professional work, the unit has handled many special cases, including extremely difficult and rare situations such as successfully persuading people exhibiting unusual behavior to climb ancient trees and utility poles to commit suicide.
Speaking about the unit's traditions, Lieutenant Colonel Truong Van Duong, Team Leader of Firefighting and Rescue Team No. 8, said: "Respecting the past and looking towards the future, we are always determined to excellently complete all professional tasks. The traditions and experience of previous generations of officers and soldiers are always valuable lessons for today's young officers and soldiers."
Constantly overcoming difficulties
Speaking about the unique characteristic of being a "young unit" mentioned by his comrades, Lieutenant Colonel Truong Van Duong happily shared that the young officers and soldiers of the unit are all enthusiastic young people, but they also have one thing in common: the nature of their work means many haven't had time for personal matters or family.
A small glimpse into the lives of officers and soldiers also partly reveals the hardships faced by firefighters in peacetime. In the late autumn days, amidst the sweltering heat, with outdoor temperatures sometimes reaching nearly 40 degrees Celsius, while many seek refuge in cool, air-conditioned rooms, at the unit, officers and soldiers diligently continue their physical training exercises, inspect their equipment and gear, and are ready to undertake any mission at any time.
With the motto "sweat in training, less bloodshed on the battlefield," every officer and soldier of Firefighting and Rescue Team No. 8 constantly trains and builds strong character. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Viet Dung, Deputy Head of Firefighting and Rescue Team No. 8, said that the character of young officers and soldiers is not only shown in the selfless and courageous spirit necessary of a firefighter, but also in their daily lives. Each officer and soldier strictly abides by discipline and the law , maintaining the image of a People's Police officer in their relationships and interactions with the people.
“Even hobbies like playing video games, interacting on social media for entertainment and making friends – activities commonly used by young people – don't show any signs of being indulged in by the officers and soldiers in the unit. Outside of duty hours, they all diligently practice, plant trees, raise pet birds, and build a healthy spiritual life,” Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Viet Dung shared.
Behind every story of saving lives, firefighters sometimes only learn of their heroic deeds through news reports sent by family and friends. They rarely talk about themselves; behind each heartwarming story lie sleepless nights pondering the unfortunate cases of those who didn't receive timely intervention to escape the clutches of death.
In those moments of heavyheartedness, the soldier longed for only one simple thing: to be "unemployed," to have moments of peace, free from the smoke, fire, and danger; to live for himself, to love, and to find personal happiness amidst the hustle and bustle of work.
But when the alarm bell rings, they put on their combat gear and rush towards danger. Because for firefighters, behind every alarm bell is a race against time. And ahead of them are always people who need to be saved.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/suc-tre-noi-dai-nhung-chien-cong-1758936.html
